The New Saints: TNS to play Maribor or Rosenborg iif they beat Ludogorets
The New Saints will play the loser of Maribor or Rosenborg should they defeat Ludogorets in the third qualifying round.
Scott Ruscoe’s side face the Bulgarians in the first leg away from home on Thursday.
Rosenborg, managed by Eirik Horneland, won the Norwegian League by five points last season, finishing ahead of Ole Gunnar Solskjær’s Molde FK.
This season though they are third in the league, a whole 11 points off Molde.
They’re in Round Three of the UEFA Champions League after defeating BATE Boris in Round Two. Rosenborg crushed NIFL Premiership champions Linfield 6-0 on aggregate.
Rosenborg have former Arsenal striker Nicklas Bendtner on their books.
Maribor, managed by former Leeds boss Darko Milanič, won the Slovenian League by nine points last season.
This season though they have yet to win, drawing three games and losing once.
They beat Swedish champions AIK in the previous round.
TNS will play their second leg of their Europa League qualifier with Ludogorets at Wrexham’s Racecourse Ground.
The New Saints’ season opener with Caernarfon Town has been moved from the Friday to the Sunday, following their Europa League commitments.
(Featured Image: Brian Jones)
